Skirmantaitė, Indrė

There was a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the test performance average time values of “Up and go” test in both groups. A statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) was established in the mean values of the six-minute walk distance. Kinematics of speed and accuracy movements statistically significantly increased (p < 0.05) in both groups. Discussion and conclusions. Both physical therapy programmes were effective in improving the quality of life, balance and kinematics of speed and accuracy movements of the hand in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Individual physical therapy programme at home was less effective, while acceleration of the pace of individual workouts on the treadmill in the gym had a greater impact.

Research background and hypothesis. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disease of the elderly, characterized by motor symptoms (resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability) when the extrapyramidal system lacks dopamine. Studies have shown that physiotherapy together with the usual medication used to treat PD can slow down the increasing immobility. Research aim was to assess the effect of home physiotherapy on balance and dynamic as well as kinematic movement characteristics of the dominant hand for people with Parkinson’s disease. Research methods. Research group consisted of 8 patients with PD, stage 1–2 of the disease, the symptoms of which were expressed on the right hand. The study was conducted using Fullerton balance test and the human arm and leg movement Dynamic Parameter Analyser DPA-1. Research results. Balance as well as kinematic and dynamic characteristics of movements for patients with PD statistically significantly improved (p < 0.05) after the physiotherapy exercise cycle at home. Discussion and conclusions. After physiotherapy, coordination of the dominant hand for patients with PD significantly improved: reaction time became shorter, maximum and average task speed increased, balance improved statistically significantly. The results showed that physiotherapy at home was an effective and reliable way for patients with PD to train their balance as well as kinematic and dynamic characteristics of their movements.